The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
The risk
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 15V-483 (15V483000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 69L2 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal |
| Report date | August 4, 2015 |
| Owners notified | January 15, 2016 |
| Vehicles affected | 415,825 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
- 2010 Volkswagen CC
- 2011 Volkswagen CC
- 2012 Volkswagen CC
- 2013 Volkswagen CC
- 2014 Volkswagen CC
- 2010 Volkswagen Eos
- 2011 Volkswagen Eos
- 2012 Volkswagen Eos
- 2013 Volkswagen Eos
- 2011 Volkswagen Golf
- 2012 Volkswagen Golf
- 2013 Volkswagen Golf
- 2014 Volkswagen Golf
- 2011 Volkswagen GTI
- 2012 Volkswagen GTI
- 2013 Volkswagen GTI
- 2014 Volkswagen GTI
- 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2010 Volkswagen Passat
- 2012 Volkswagen Passat
- 2013 Volkswagen Passat
- 2014 Volkswagen Passat
- 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
Owner complaints about the air bags
- 2010 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 84
- 2011 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 32
- 2012 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 86
- 2013 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 89
- 2014 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 52
- 2010 Volkswagen Eos airbag problems 24
- 2011 Volkswagen Eos airbag problems 10
- 2012 Volkswagen Eos airbag problems 64
- 2013 Volkswagen Eos airbag problems 19
- 2011 Volkswagen Golf airbag problems 12
- 2012 Volkswagen Golf airbag problems 10
- 2013 Volkswagen Golf airbag problems 9
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 15V-483 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 415,825 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.